US4804826A - Device for preventing unauthorized use of credit cards and like data carriers - Google Patents

Device for preventing unauthorized use of credit cards and like data carriers Download PDF

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Publication number
US4804826A
US4804826A US07/088,106 US8810687A US4804826A US 4804826 A US4804826 A US 4804826A US 8810687 A US8810687 A US 8810687A US 4804826 A US4804826 A US 4804826A
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United States
Prior art keywords
card
actuators
attempt
disc
control means
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Expired - Fee Related
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US07/088,106
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English (en)
Inventor
Krister Hertzen
Hans Sjoblom
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Individual
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Individual
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
    • E05G—SAFES OR STRONG-ROOMS FOR VALUABLES; BANK PROTECTION DEVICES; SAFETY TRANSACTION PARTITIONS
    • E05G1/00—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables
    • E05G1/14—Safes or strong-rooms for valuables with means for masking or destroying the valuables, e.g. in case of theft
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/08—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means
    • G07F7/0806—Details of the card
    • G07F7/0833—Card having specific functional components

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for preventing unauthorised use of card- or disc-shaped proofs of legitimacy and/or data carriers, such as ATM cards, credit cards and flexible discs, comprising a cover- or case-shaped device or the like which has at least one pocket or the like adapted to receive at least a portion of at least one card, disc etc., actuators and control means arranged in said pocket, said control means being adapted to control said actuators and preferably being of the code lock type and comprising one or more means which, when actuated in a certain sequence or in a certain combination, are adapted to control said actuators.
  • One object of the present invention is to provide a device which at all times allows the card owner full control of the credit card or the like and which, if the true owner is dispossessed of the card, makes it useless to any other person.
  • a further object of the invention thus is to provide a device which prevents unauthorised access to the information stored on a disc or the like.
  • the main characteristic feature of the new device is that the actuators comprise means which are activatable when an attempt at gaining access is made without proper actuation of the control means and which, in the event of such an attempt at unauthorised access, are adapted to permanently damage the card, disc etc. and/or the data carried thereon.
  • FIG. 1 shows from above an embodiment intended for credit cards and the like
  • FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment as seen from one end
  • FIG. 3 shows, partly in section, the outer casing from above
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the inner part
  • FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the inner part
  • FIG. 6 shows, partly in section, an embodiment intended for a flexible disc.
  • a mechanical embodiment (not shown) of the device may comprise a cover- or case-shaped card holder having at least one insert opening which is adapted to the cross-section of the credit card.
  • the card holder may accommodate a plurality of actuating or marking means provided with marking or cutting edges and activated by external control means, and preferably eccentric holding means which allow insertion of a card into the holder, but which on extraction of the card urge it against the side where the marking means are positioned.
  • the control means which may consist of laterally displaceable buttons, the edges of the actuating or marking means can be moved away from the card, whereupon the authorised user can readily extract the card.
  • the surface of the card will be cut or scratched. As a result of the damage to the card, the receiver will notice immediately that the card is being used without authorisation.
  • An embodiment operating with chemical substances may, like the one described above, consist of a cover- or case-shaped card holder, the interior of which accommodates one or more ampoules containing ink or some medium otherwise affecting the plastic card.
  • the ampoules can, in the same way as previously described, be removed from the path of the card as the card is extracted, whereas in connection with unauthorised use an attempt at extracting will result in the ampoules etc. being crushed and discolouring or damaging the card.
  • a caseshaped container may be provided with one or more permanent magnets which are adapted to be displaced by the control means, and here the device may be designed such that correct setting of the control means causes the permanent magnets to be removed from the magnetic stripe of the card, but in connection with unauthorised use, the permanent magnets are in such a position that they will permanently damage the magnetic stripe when the card is extracted.
  • FIGS. 1-5 comprises an outer casing 1 and an inner part 2.
  • the outer casing is completely closed except for a slot-shaped opening 3 at one end.
  • One side of the outer casing is provided with a keyboard 4 and a display window 5 for a minicalculator of the very flat type.
  • the keyboard also serves as control means for actuating an encoding unit.
  • the interior of the outer casing is provided with contact rails 6 adapted to be in electric contact with sheet metal contacts situated in the inner part.
  • the contact rails are connected with a protective winding or protective net 7 comprising a large number of windings of thin conducting wire integrated with the material forming the outer casing. Any damage to the outer casing causes a control circuit to open or close, whereby the safety device is triggered.
  • One long side of the outer casing is provided with a hook-shaped recess 8 and a through hole 9, the function of which will be described below.
  • the inner part 2 comprises an open frame 10 and an end portion 11 accommodating the locking means and the electronics unit.
  • the frame 10 is adapted to hold a plurality of credit cards or at least one credit card when the inner part is received in the outer casing 1, a corner of the credit card being indicated at 12.
  • Loops of thin conducting wire are integrated with the frame 10 like in the outer casing, and any damage to said conducting wire causes triggering of the safety device.
  • the inner part 2 is locked mechanically in the outer casing 1, but the locking is controlled by an electronic component which in turn is controlled by the keyboard 4.
  • the mechanical locking means comprises a locking hook 13 engaging the recess 8 in the outer casing and being actuated by a push button 14 which is moving in the opening 9 in the outer casing 1.
  • the locking hook and the push button are arrested in normal position by a locking arm 15 which in its nonactuated state prevents the button 14 from being pressed.
  • the locking arm is operated by an electromagnet 16 or the like which, when activated, causes the locking arm to pivot away from its position arresting the push button 14 and the locking hook 13, provided however that the correct code has been entered on the keyboard 4.
  • the end portion 11 of the inner part accommodates also the safety device proper which, as shown, may comprise a knife means 17 connected with a piston-shaped disc 18 which may move in a cylinder 19. Behind the disc 18, an explosive composition 20 is arranged which, on initiation, violently presses the disc 18 with the knife 17 out of the cylinder, the knife cutting off, as indicated by a dotted line, the corner of the credit card stored in the device, which consequently makes the card useless in that the receiver immediately notices the damage.
  • the safety device proper which, as shown, may comprise a knife means 17 connected with a piston-shaped disc 18 which may move in a cylinder 19.
  • an explosive composition 20 is arranged which, on initiation, violently presses the disc 18 with the knife 17 out of the cylinder, the knife cutting off, as indicated by a dotted line, the corner of the credit card stored in the device, which consequently makes the card useless in that the receiver immediately notices the damage.
  • an explosive composition or the like can be caused to initiate a strand 20x indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4 and consisting of an inflammable, such as gun powder, magnesium or like composition which generates intense heat and deforms the edge portion of a card stored in the device and/or visibly damages the card.
  • an inflammable such as gun powder, magnesium or like composition which generates intense heat and deforms the edge portion of a card stored in the device and/or visibly damages the card.
  • the major part of the electronics unit is accommodated in the outer casing and integrated with the minicalculator, for which reason the number of the conductive means required between the mutually movable parts may be reduced to two, i.e. the sheet metal contacts 21.
  • the inner part comprises batteries 22 and 23, respectively, for the electromagnet 16 which, via an amplifier 24, is controlled from the keyboard 4, and for the initiating means for the explosive composition, which is controlled by the control windings sensing any damage.
  • Embodiments adapted to store flexible discs and the like can largely be designed in the same way as those intended for credit cards and the like, that is to say with an outer casing 1 receiving an inner part 2 which, by means of a frame-shaped portion, defines a storage space.
  • the outer casing can be designed to be shielding so that its contents cannot be affected from outside.
  • Flexible discs are usually enclosed by an envelope-like, rigid case, for which reason the marking means described above are not particularly suitable, since an unauthorised user would hardly bother about any damage to the case.
  • embodiments of the invention intended for flexible discs and the like are provided with means for erasing or permanently destroying information stored on the disc, and this can be done by a means which generates a strong electromagnetic or electric current impulse.
  • the magnetic impulse can be provided by means of a permanent magnet which in its resting position is removed to a shielded space in the end portion of the inner part, said permanent magnet being moved closer to the flexible disc when activated by, for example, a spring means.
  • the electric current impulse is provided by a rechargeable capacitor 25 or the like and a loop 26 on both sides of the space for the flexible disc.
  • the loop 26 comprises a plurality of coils 27 situated in strategically chosen positions.
  • the loop with its coils is suitably designed as a so-called printed circuit card and is fully integrated with the casing 1 such that its position cannot be determined from outside.
  • the casing is of course provided with a protective winding of the same type as the protective winding 7 in the embodiment described above.
  • the function is controlled by an electronics unit 28 which in the embodiment shown is actuated by a separate control unit 29 via the contact means 30, 31.
  • the control unit 29 which is provided with a suitable source of current, comprises an encoding unit or the like which enables and disables the safety device. Since the transmitter and the receiver are each provided with a control unit which, so to say, serves as a key, the safety device is always activated during transport. Any attempts at tampering or gaining access will thus cause the contents to be erased or otherwise made useless.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Storage Device Security (AREA)
  • Control Of Vending Devices And Auxiliary Devices For Vending Devices (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
US07/088,106 1985-11-20 1986-11-20 Device for preventing unauthorized use of credit cards and like data carriers Expired - Fee Related US4804826A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8505485A SE8505485D0 (sv) 1985-11-20 1985-11-20 Anordning for forhindrande av obehorigt brukande av kreditkort och liknande
SE8505485 1985-11-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4804826A true US4804826A (en) 1989-02-14

Family

ID=20362190

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/088,106 Expired - Fee Related US4804826A (en) 1985-11-20 1986-11-20 Device for preventing unauthorized use of credit cards and like data carriers

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US4804826A (de)
EP (2) EP0245429A1 (de)
JP (2) JPS63501830A (de)
AU (2) AU595574B2 (de)
DE (1) DE3684308D1 (de)
DK (2) DK162546C (de)
SE (1) SE8505485D0 (de)
WO (2) WO1987003400A1 (de)

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4931770A (en) * 1987-10-02 1990-06-05 Southern Integrity, Inc. Protection system
US5163098A (en) * 1990-09-06 1992-11-10 Dahbura Abbud S System for preventing fraudulent use of credit card
US5598792A (en) * 1995-01-09 1997-02-04 Wales; Forrest A. Credit card security device having card invalidating electromagnet
NL1005044C2 (nl) * 1997-01-20 1998-07-22 Bartholomeus Cornelius Marijni Beschermeenheid van een pinpas, creditcard, chipknip, chipknipper, heeft tot functie de pas te beschermen bij diefstal of verduistering maakt de pas onbruikbaar.
US5918554A (en) * 1998-03-12 1999-07-06 Rassamni; Aj Credit card security device
WO2000000453A2 (de) * 1998-06-29 2000-01-06 Sm Schweizerische Munitionsunternehmung Ag Pyrotechnische schicht zur gezielten zerstörung von daten auf datenträgern
EP1059275A1 (de) * 1999-06-07 2000-12-13 SM Schweizerische Munitionsunternehmung Pyrotechnische Schicht zur gezielten Zerstörung von maschinenlesbaren Daten auf Datenträgern
US6275151B1 (en) * 2000-01-11 2001-08-14 Lucent Technologies Inc. Cognitive intelligence carrying case
US6374757B1 (en) 1999-12-02 2002-04-23 Avner Farkash Credit card security device
WO2006075305A1 (en) * 2005-01-17 2006-07-20 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Data carrier with limited accessibility
US20070056335A1 (en) * 2003-02-21 2007-03-15 Alpha Security Products, Inc. Security container with linked primary and secondary security features
EP1865470A1 (de) * 2006-06-06 2007-12-12 CardSafe System Karteninhabersystem mit verbesserten Sicherheitsfunktionen und entsprechende Verfahren
US9305190B2 (en) 2010-07-18 2016-04-05 Graeme J. Freedman Anti-tamper device for integrated circuits

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2634039B1 (fr) * 1988-07-11 1991-05-31 Souchet Philippe Etui de securite pour cartes de credit ou analogues
FR2645318A1 (fr) * 1989-03-28 1990-10-05 Sofirec Ouest Sarl Etui de protection pour supports a piste magnetique
SE464896B (sv) * 1989-12-22 1991-06-24 Micromax Industriteknik Ab Betalningssystem med ic-kort
FR2674647A1 (fr) * 1991-03-29 1992-10-02 Widmer Michel Appareil formant chequier electronique pour transactions financieres et procede d'utilisation d'un tel appareil.
FR2723609B1 (fr) * 1994-08-11 1996-10-25 Philippe Escal Dispositif de protection de documents contenant des informations stockees sous forme de memoire notamment magnetique.
WO1998038407A1 (en) * 1997-02-26 1998-09-03 2001 Concepts International Ltd. Improved card security device
ATE238254T1 (de) * 1998-06-29 2003-05-15 Ruag Munition Pyrotechnische schicht zur gezielten zerstörung von maschinenlesbaren daten auf datenträgern

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3866173A (en) * 1973-10-02 1975-02-11 Mosler Safe Co Access control system for restricted area

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2486684A1 (fr) * 1980-07-11 1982-01-15 Transac Cie Developp Transact Objet portatif individualise du genre carte de credit
JPS5773471A (en) * 1980-10-27 1982-05-08 Nitsuko Ltd Card collating terminal equipment provided with use stop marking function
DE3347483A1 (de) * 1983-12-29 1985-07-11 GAO Gesellschaft für Automation und Organisation mbH, 8000 München Vorrichtung zur sicherung geheimer informationen
JPS60196874A (ja) * 1984-03-19 1985-10-05 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co Ｉｃカ−ドの不正使用防止装置

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3866173A (en) * 1973-10-02 1975-02-11 Mosler Safe Co Access control system for restricted area

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4931770A (en) * 1987-10-02 1990-06-05 Southern Integrity, Inc. Protection system
US5163098A (en) * 1990-09-06 1992-11-10 Dahbura Abbud S System for preventing fraudulent use of credit card
US5598792A (en) * 1995-01-09 1997-02-04 Wales; Forrest A. Credit card security device having card invalidating electromagnet
NL1005044C2 (nl) * 1997-01-20 1998-07-22 Bartholomeus Cornelius Marijni Beschermeenheid van een pinpas, creditcard, chipknip, chipknipper, heeft tot functie de pas te beschermen bij diefstal of verduistering maakt de pas onbruikbaar.
US5918554A (en) * 1998-03-12 1999-07-06 Rassamni; Aj Credit card security device
WO2000000453A2 (de) * 1998-06-29 2000-01-06 Sm Schweizerische Munitionsunternehmung Ag Pyrotechnische schicht zur gezielten zerstörung von daten auf datenträgern
WO2000000453A3 (de) * 1998-06-29 2000-03-16 Eidgenoess Munitionsfab Thun Pyrotechnische schicht zur gezielten zerstörung von daten auf datenträgern
EP1059275A1 (de) * 1999-06-07 2000-12-13 SM Schweizerische Munitionsunternehmung Pyrotechnische Schicht zur gezielten Zerstörung von maschinenlesbaren Daten auf Datenträgern
US6374757B1 (en) 1999-12-02 2002-04-23 Avner Farkash Credit card security device
US6275151B1 (en) * 2000-01-11 2001-08-14 Lucent Technologies Inc. Cognitive intelligence carrying case
US20070056335A1 (en) * 2003-02-21 2007-03-15 Alpha Security Products, Inc. Security container with linked primary and secondary security features
US7484389B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2009-02-03 Checkpoint Systems, Inc. Security container with linked primary and secondary security features
WO2006075305A1 (en) * 2005-01-17 2006-07-20 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Data carrier with limited accessibility
EP1865470A1 (de) * 2006-06-06 2007-12-12 CardSafe System Karteninhabersystem mit verbesserten Sicherheitsfunktionen und entsprechende Verfahren
WO2007140778A1 (en) * 2006-06-06 2007-12-13 Cardsafe System A/S Cardholder system with improved security functions and corresponding methods
US20100250435A1 (en) * 2006-06-06 2010-09-30 Pedersen Soren D Cardholder system with improved security functions and corresponding methods
CN101573735B (zh) * 2006-06-06 2012-09-05 卡德塞弗系统有限公司 具有改善的安全功能的卡夹系统及其相应方法
US9305190B2 (en) 2010-07-18 2016-04-05 Graeme J. Freedman Anti-tamper device for integrated circuits

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1987003401A1 (en) 1987-06-04
DK162546C (da) 1994-01-03
WO1987003400A1 (en) 1987-06-04
DK372987A (da) 1987-07-17
AU6722087A (en) 1987-07-01
EP0245428A1 (de) 1987-11-19
DK162546B (da) 1991-11-11
DK373087A (da) 1987-07-17
EP0245428B1 (de) 1992-03-11
DE3684308D1 (de) 1992-04-16
EP0245429A1 (de) 1987-11-19
DK372987D0 (da) 1987-07-17
AU6721487A (en) 1987-07-01
DK373087D0 (da) 1987-07-17
JPS63501829A (ja) 1988-07-21
JPS63501830A (ja) 1988-07-21
SE8505485D0 (sv) 1985-11-20
AU595574B2 (en) 1990-04-05

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